Ella’s first film ‘Faulty Roots’ premiered at the Busan International Kids & Youth Film Festival and was selected for many other festivals including BAFTA Qualifying Bolton International Film Festival and Tallgrass Film Festival. Faulty Roots is now being developed into a feature film, as announced by Film Stories Magazine and featured by Deadline, Yahoo, BBC, and more. She is also working on her next short film ‘Self-Charm’ as well as premiering her animated short ‘Dreary Days’. Ella is an ambassador for leading teen mental health charity stem4.
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?
I grew up in London and absolutely loved films, theatre and anything creative. I’ve always wanted to act and then later on decided that I wanted to write and start making films too. I’m obsessed with Disney (& anything animated) and would live at Disneyland if I could! I’m also extremely passionate about mental health awareness.
AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND?
I suppose my personal brand is just who I am as a person. I try to tell stories that mean something to me or are about something that I find interesting, important or fun. I try and be as honest and open as possible and love supporting and connecting with others.
HOW DID YOU START AND HOW WAS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY?
I started out attending youth theatres and drama classes, signed with an agent from a young age and then gained experience working on various projects. I remember one of my first auditions was for a commercial where I had to pretend that I was at a bus stop listening to music and dancing, when in reality I was in a small room in front of casting directors dancing awfully and having to sing acapella as there was no music. I think my experience has improved a lot since then!
CAN YOU TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE?
I’ve learnt so much from every single thing I’ve done. I think the best thing you can do is just get out there and work on various different projects, write about various things, watch as many films as possible (including short films!) and always ask people for advice.
WHAT’S THE BEST AND WORST ASPECT OF YOUR JOB?
The uncertainty of the job is probably both the best and worst part. It’s hard not knowing whether you’ll get a role or not or whether a project will go ahead, but it’s also so exciting the fact that things can happen very quickly, and you never know what you may work on in the future.
DO YOU COMPLY MORE TO YOUR HEAD OR TO YOUR HEART?
It’s definitely a balance of both. Of course, it’s still a career and a job, so you have to make good choices and to consider things before jumping straight in, but you also have to have so much passion for a project if it’s going to succeed.
IS LIFE ALWAYS BETTER THAN A NICE MOVIE?
Well, it’s important to enjoy life and make the most out of it, but a good movie can also do wonders.
WHAT’S HAPPINESS FOR ELLA
Happiness is watching a film with friends and eating loads of snacks!
HOW IMPORTANT IS PERSONAL BRANDING FOR YOU, AND WHAT YOU DO TO GROW YOUR PERSONAL BRAND?
It’s very important as my work is part of who I am. Even doing interviews like this, it’s for professional reasons but it’s also about what I think and feel, so it’s important to grow your personal brand in a nurtured way.
THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS
Yes, I’m working on new films self-charm and the feature version of Faulty Roots, both of which are in the early stages so I would love for people to keep up with their journeys!
WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU ONLINE?
Instagram: @popsella
Twitter: @ella_greenwood
